'People Cried And...': Manipur CM Biren Singh On Why He Rolled Back His Decision To Quit

High drama had erupted outside the CM's house and Raj Bhavan following news of Singh's resignation.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

Source : Getty

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh stated on Saturday why he first planned to resign from his role amid the state's continuous unrest before deciding to stay in office. High drama had erupted outside the CM's house and Raj Bhavan following news of Singh's resignation. His supporters prevented the chief minister from entering the Raj Bhavan.

Speaking about his decision to resign, Manipur CM Singh informed ANI: "I saw effigies of PM Modi and HM Amit Shah being burnt at a few places in the state, saw attempts of attack on BJP office. What the Centre did for Manipur and we did for Manipur in 5-6 years, I doubted if we have lost the trust of people. Thinking about this made me feel bad...Abusive language was used by a small group against me a few days back at a market. It didn't feel good...So, I decided this."

#WATCH | Imphal | On his decision to resign, Manipur CM N Biren Singh says, "...Amid all this, I saw effigies of PM Modi and HM Amit Shah being burnt at a few places in the state, saw attempts of attack on BJP office. What the Centre did for Maipur and we did for Manipur in 5-6… pic.twitter.com/BKbSvkVJAL

— ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2023

Supporters of the chief minister not only requested him not to quit, but also tore his resignation letter in public. Singh later tweeted that he had opted not to resign "at this critical juncture."

“A leader can't be a leader without public confidence. I feel good that after I stepped out (of the CM house), there was a huge crowd on the streets. They cried and showed me their trust in me. This proved my thoughts (of doubts) wrong) because the people still stood in my support. They told me not to resign. If they tell me to resign, I will; if they tell me not to, I won't”, he said.

#WATCH | On his decision to finally not resign as the CM, Manipur CM N Biren Singh says, "A leader can't be a leader without public confidence. I feel good that after I stepped out (of the CM house), there was a huge crowd on the streets. They cried and showed me their trust in… pic.twitter.com/2YYcUvm2Ml

— ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2023

When asked what could be the reason behind violence in his state, Manipur CM N Biren Singh told ANI: "I am confused as well...I had said a consensus is important...High Court had asked us; my Government had still not recommended if Meitei community should or should not be included as Scheduled Tribe. There was four-week time. So, I don't know the reason. It should be the organisation, that organised a solidarity rally to not include Meitei, that should tell the world...They have the answer..."

Hinting the violence in the state may be "pre-planned", Manipur CM stated: "Manipur is a neighbour to Myanmar. There is China nearby. 398 km of our borders are porous, unguarded. There is Indian security force but such a large area can't be guarded...But going by what is happening, we can neither deny nor vehemently affirm...It seems pre-planned but the reason is not open."

#WATCH | When asked if an international organisation could have a role to play, in the violence in his state, Manipur CM N Biren Singh says, "...Manipur is a neighbour to Myanmar. There is China nearby. 398 km of our borders are porous, unguarded. There is Indian security force… pic.twitter.com/iVAh17bwQK

— ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2023

The opposition has slammed Biren Singh's government's handling of the Manipur unrest, which has raged for two months. More than 100 individuals were killed in the May 3 ethnic riots between the Meitei and Kuki clans. 

"Where did these problems come from? These are deep-rooted. They are not today's problems. Those who are levelling allegations, like Congress - we are eating the poison fruits, seeds of which were sowed by them...The entire world knows whose mistake was it...The ethnic clash between Kuki and Meitei continued for 2-3 years, there were losses & deaths. That is why, the Kuki militants rose at that time...they were given a free run from 2005-2018, for 13 years. That is why this is happening," he said.